Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Roman Festivals

Roman festivals were vibrant and colorful events that played a central role in ancient Roman society. These celebrations honored specific deities or marked important events in the year, offering a time for religious devotion, community gatherings, and festive merriment.

This page will explore the significance and traditions of various Roman festivals, providing insights into the rich and diverse religious practices of the ancient Romans.

Types of Festivals

There were three main types of festival or feriae:

• Stativae: These were annual festivals held on fixed dates throughout the year. Some examples include the Saturnalia, which celebrated the god Saturn, and the Lupercalia, a fertility festival associated with the god Faunus.
• Conceptivae: These were also annual, but their dates were determined by religious officials based on astronomical calculations or other factors. The Regifugium, a day commemorating the expulsion of Rome’s last king, was a conceptivae festival.
• Imperativae: These were special festivals called for by magistrates or priests in response to particular events or crises. For example, a nefastus day, a day considered unlucky for public business, could be declared imperativus if a sudden threat to the city arose.

Festival Traditions

Roman festivals often included a variety of traditions and activities. These could include:

• Sacrifices: Animals or offerings were sacrificed to the gods as a sign of devotion and respect.
• Processions: Participants would march through the streets, often carrying statues or images of the deity being honored.
• Games: Festivals were often accompanied by athletic competitions, chariot races, or theatrical performances.
• Feasts: People would gather to enjoy food and drink, often accompanied by music and dancing.

Fasti Praenestini

The Praenestine Calendar, or Fasti Praenestini, is a valuable historical document discovered in 1770. Arranged by the grammarian Verrius Flaccus, this calendar provides a glimpse into the religious and public life of ancient Rome.

The fragments of the Praenestine Calendar cover the months of January, March, April, and December, as well as a portion of February. They provide a detailed account of the various festivals and public events that took place throughout the Roman year.

In addition to religious festivals, the calendar also records the triumphs of Augustus and Tiberius. The dedication of the calendar to Augustus highlights the emperor’s role in reforming the Roman calendar.

Festivals

The following sections provide detailed information on the various Roman festivals celebrated throughout the year. These festivals, ranging from religious observances to public spectacles, played a significant role in Roman society and culture. Each festival had its own unique purpose, rituals, and traditions, reflecting the diverse beliefs and practices of the ancient Romans.

Agonalia – It was a religious observance, shrouded in a degree of obscurity. Celebrated several times a year in honor of various divinities, its origins were attributed to the semi-legendary second king of Rome, Numa Pompilius.

Ambarvalia – It was an agricultural fertility rite held in honor of Ceres, Bacchus, and Dea Dia. The festival typically took place on 29th May, but its exact timing could vary as it was a feriae conceptivae, a festival not bound to a fixed date.

Amburbium – It was a ritual for purifying the city. It involved a procession around the city, likely following the route of the Servian Wall. The exact date of the Amburbium is uncertain, but it was likely held in February.

Argei – They were archaic religious observances held on 16th and 17th March, as well as 14th or 15th May. These rituals involved a procession of religious figures, including pontiffs, Vestals, and praetors.

Armilustrium – It was a festival celebrated on 19th October in honor of Mars, the god of war. The festival was a time to purify the weapons of the Roman soldiers and prepare them for the upcoming winter.

Augustalia – It was a festival celebrated on 12th October in honor of Augustus, the first Roman emperor. The festival was established in 19 BC to commemorate Augustus’ return from Asia Minor.

Bacchanalia – They were unofficial, privately funded festivals held in honor of Bacchus, the god of wine, revelry, and theater. These festivals were inspired by the ecstatic elements of the Greek Dionysia and were likely associated with Rome’s native cult of Liber.

Caristia – It was a holiday celebrated on 22nd February to honor family bonds and foster reconciliation. It was a time for families to gather, share a meal, and offer sacrifices to the Lares, the household gods.

Carmentalia – It was a festival celebrated in honor of Carmenta, the goddess associated with childbirth, prophecy, and the future. The festival was held on January 11th and 15th, and was primarily observed by women.

Cerealia – It was a major festival celebrated in honor of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture. It was held for seven days in mid- to late April and marked the harvest season.

Compitalia – It was a festival held in honor of the Lares Compitales, household deities associated with crossroads. These deities were believed to protect homes and travelers, and sacrifices were offered to them at the intersections of roads.

Consualia – They were two festivals celebrated in honor of Consus, a tutelary deity associated with the harvest and stored grain. The first Consualia was held on 21st August, while the second was held on 15th December, in connection with grain storage.

Decennalia – They were festivals celebrated every ten years to commemorate the anniversary of an emperor’s reign. These festivals were a way to express loyalty and gratitude to the emperor and to ensure the continued prosperity of the empire.

Divalia – Also known as the Angeronalia, it was a festival celebrated on 21st December in honor of Angerona, a goddess associated with the alleviation of sorrow and pain.

Epulum Iovis – It was a lavish ritual feast offered to Jupiter, the king of the gods, on the Ides of September and November. It was held during the Ludi Romani and Ludi Plebeii, two major Roman festivals.

Equirria – They were two festivals dedicated to Mars, the god of war. These festivals featured chariot races or horseback riding and were held in the Campus Martius, a large open field used for military training and public events.

Equus October – Also known as the October Horse, it was an annual sacrifice to Mars, the Roman god of war, performed on 15th October. This ritual was unique in Roman religion, as horses were not typically sacrificed for food.

Feralia – It was a public festival celebrated on 21st February in honor of the Manes, the spirits of the deceased. It marked the end of the Parentalia, a nine-day period dedicated to honoring ancestors.

Feriae Latinae – Also known as the Latin Festival, it was a religious festival held on the Alban Mount in April. The exact date varied each year and was determined by the consuls upon taking office.

Floralia – It was a festival celebrated in honor of Flora, the goddess of flowers and spring. The festival was held on 28th April and was known for its licentious and pleasure-seeking atmosphere. It was a time for revelry, entertainment, and the enjoyment of the spring season.

Fontinalia – It was a festival celebrated on 13th October in honor of Fons, the god of wells and springs. This festival was a time to express gratitude for the water that was essential to Roman life.

Fordicidia – It was a festival celebrated on 15th April in honor of Terra, the goddess of the Earth. The festival was associated with fertility, agriculture, and animal husbandry.

Fornacalia – It was a religious festival celebrated in honor of Fornax, the divine personification of the oven. This festival was closely tied to the art of bread-making and ensuring a successful harvest.

Furrinalia – It was a festival held on 25th July in honor of the goddess Furrina. Despite being a public holiday, the Furrinalia had become obscure by the time of the Late Republic. Even Varro, a Roman scholar from the 1st c. BC, noted that few people knew the name of the goddess.

Hilaria – It was a festival celebrated on the March equinox in honor of Cybele, the goddess of nature, fertility, and the mountains. The festival marked the end of winter and the beginning of a new season.

Ieiunium Cereris – It was a festival dedicated to Ceres, the goddess of agriculture. Observed on 4th October, the festival involved a period of fasting, during which participants refrained from consuming food.

Iunonalia – It was a festival celebrated on 7th March in honor of Juno, the goddess of marriage, childbirth, and women. The festival is primarily known from the Calendar of Filocalus, dating to the 4th c. AD.

Larentalia – It was a festival celebrated on 23rd December in honor of Acca Larentia, the nurse of Romulus and Remus. Associated with the Lares, domestic deities, the Larentalia was a time to honor both Acca Larentia and the Lares, and offer sacrifices to the dead. Originally a single-day event, Augustus later mandated that it be observed twice a year.

Lectisternium – It was a ritual feast offered to the gods as a means of propitiation. The word lectisternium derives from the Latin phrase lectum sternere, which means “to spread a couch.”

Lemuria – It was a festival held on 9th, 11th, and 13th May to exorcise malevolent ghosts known as lemures or larvae. These restless spirits were believed to haunt the living and cause misfortune.

Liberalia – It was a festival celebrated on 17th March in honor of Liber Pater, the god of fertility and wine, and his consort Libera. The festival marked the transition of young boys into manhood.

Lucaria – It was a festival celebrated between the 19th and 21st July. Despite being recorded on the Roman calendar, the exact meaning and purpose of the festival remain unclear to historians.

Ludi Apollinares – They were solemn games held annually in Rome to honor Apollo, the god of music, poetry, and healing. The tradition of these games originated in 212 BC, when C. Sulla, the praetor, made a vow to hold them in honor of Apollo.

Ludi Capitolini – Also known as the Capitoline Games, they were annual games established in 387 BC by Camillus to commemorate the Capitol’s escape from capture during the Gallic siege. Initially religious in nature, they evolved into a celebration of various forms of human achievement.

Ludi Piscatorii – They were games celebrated on 7th June, starting in the 3rd c. BC, in honor of Father Tiber, the god of the Tiber River. The festival was primarily observed by fishermen and was overseen by the Praetor, a Roman magistrate.

Ludi Plebeii – Also known as the Plebeian Games, they were games specifically designed for the entertainment of the common people. Held annually from 4th to 17th November, these games featured both theatrical performances and athletic competitions.

Ludi Romani – Also known as the Roman Games, they were a significant religious festival held annually from 4th to 19th September, starting in 366 BC. The festival was initially a one-day event but expanded over time to include additional days.

Ludi Taurii – Also known as the Taurian Games, they were games held in honor of the di inferi, the gods of the underworld. These games were not part of the regular Roman religious calendar but were held as expiatory rites in response to religious concerns.

Lupercalia – It was a festival celebrated on 15th February to promote health, fertility, and the purification of the city. The festival was centered around the Lupercal cave, a sacred site associated with the city’s foundation myth.

Matralia – It was a festival celebrated on 11th June in honor of Mater Matuta, the goddess of motherhood and childbirth. The festival was exclusively for single women or women in their first marriage.

Matronalia – It was a festival dedicated to Juno Lucina, the goddess of childbirth and motherhood. It was a celebration honoring women and their role in society.

Meditrinalia – It was a festival celebrated on 11th October to honor the new wine vintage. This was the first time the new wine was offered as libations to the gods each year.

Megalesia – It was a festival celebrated 4th-10th April in honor of Cybele, the Great Mother. The festival was a blend of Roman and Phrygian traditions, reflecting the Romans’ openness to foreign cultures and their ability to adapt religious practices to their own.

Mercuralia – It was a celebration held on 15th May to honor Mercury, the god of merchants, commerce, and travel. As the patron deity of merchants, Mercury was believed to protect businesses and ensure success in trade.

Navigium Isidis – It was a religious festival celebrated on 5th March in honor of the Egyptian goddess Isis. This festival was a unique blend of Roman and Egyptian traditions, reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of the Roman Empire.

Nemoralia – Also known as the Festival of Torches or Hecatean Ides, it was a three-day festival originally celebrated on the Ides of August in honor of the goddess Diana.

Neptunalia – It was a festival celebrated in honor of Neptune, the god of the sea, horses, and earthquakes. The festival was held in the summer, likely around 23rd July, to coincide with the hottest and driest time of year.

Nonae Caprotiniae – It was a festival celebrated on 7th July in honor of Juno Caprotina. This festival was associated with the Poplifugia, a festival commemorating a Roman flight from their city during a crisis.

Opiconsivia – It was a festival celebrated on 25th August in honor of Ops, the goddess of agricultural resources and wealth. The festival marked the end of the harvest and was a time to give thanks for the bounty of the land.

Parentalia – It was a nine-day festival held in February to honor family ancestors. While the festival was primarily observed within families, public ceremonies were also held to commemorate the collective ancestors of the Roman state.

Parilia – It was a festival celebrated on 21st April in honor of Pales, the patron deity of shepherds and sheep. The festival was intended to purify both sheep and shepherds and ensure their well-being.

Poplifugia – It was a festival celebrated on 5th July to commemorate a time when the Romans fled from their city during during a conflict with the inhabitants of Ficuleae and Fidenae.

Portunalia – It was a minor festival celebrated on 17th August in honor of Portunus, the god of doors, keys, and ports. As the patron of doors and keys, Portunus was associated with the protection of homes and businesses.

Quinquatria – It was a festival dedicated to Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, warfare, and crafts. It was celebrated 19th-23rd March, and its name derived from the Latin word “quinqu,” meaning five, as it was held on the fifth day after the Ides of March.

Regifugium – It was an annual religious festival celebrated on 24th February to commemorate the expulsion of Tarquinius Superbus, the last king of Rome, in 510 BC.

Robigalia – It was a festival celebrated on 25th April in honor of Robigus, the god of agricultural disease. The festival was intended to protect grain fields from disease and ensure a bountiful harvest.

Saturnalia – It was a week-long festival celebrated from 17th to 23rd December in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture and time. This festive period was characterized by a reversal of social norms, with slaves being served by their masters and gambling becoming acceptable.

Sementivae – It was a festival dedicated to the gods of agriculture, Ceres and Terra. This festival was held in the seed-time, a period when farmers were preparing their fields for planting.

Septimontium – It was a festival celebrated by the montani, residents of the seven hills associated with Rome. These hills were Oppius, Palatium, Velia, Fagutal, Cermalus, Caelius, and Cispius.

Supplicia Canum – It was a controversial annual sacrifice involving the crucifixion of live dogs. Although not explicitly mentioned on extant Roman calendars, a late source places the event on 3rd August.

Terminalia – It was a festival celebrated in honor of Terminus, the god who presided over boundaries. His statue was a simple stone or post placed at the border between properties.

Transvectio Equitum – It was a parade held annually on 15th July to showcase the young men of the equestrian class. The procession began at the Temple of Mars in Clivo and proceeded through the city, stopping at the Temple of Castor and Pollux and the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus.

Tubilustrium – It was a ceremony held to purify the army and prepare it for war. The festival took place on 23rd March, the last day of the Quinquatria. It was also held again on 23rd May.

Veneralia – It was a festival celebrated on 1st April in honor of Venus Verticordia and Fortuna Virilis. Venus Verticordia was the goddess of love, chastity, and the power to change hearts. Fortuna Virilis was the goddess of fortune and prosperity.

Vestalia – It was a religious festival celebrated from 7th to 15th June in honor of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth and home. It was a women-only event that focused on domestic and family life.

Vinalia – They were two festivals of the wine harvest, wine vintage and gardens, celebrated in honor of Jupiter and Venus. The Vinalia Urbana was held on 23rd April to bless the previous year’s wine harvest and ensure a good harvest for the coming year. The Vinalia Rustica was held on 19th August, before the grape harvest and wine-pressing.

Vitulatio – It was an annual festival celebrated on 8th July to commemorate a Roman victory over their enemies. It followed the Poplifugia, another festival associated with the same historical event.

Volturnalia – It was a festival celebrated on 27th August in honor of Volturnus, the god of waters. Originally associated with a tribal river, Volturnus later became identified with the Tiber River and the Volturno River.

Vulcanalia – It was an annual festival celebrated on 23rd August in honor of Vulcan, the god of fire, metalworking, and volcanoes. The festival was held during the hottest time of the year, when crops and granaries were at risk of burning.